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Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

Canada's #1 Junior Golf Tour

The Road to College Golf, run exclusively by PGA Professionals

Press Release

April 15-16, 2006
The Links at Boundary Bay • Delta, BC

For Immediate Release — April 17, 2006

Klassen Secures First Spot on Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland

DELTA, B.C. — The Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) held a qualifier in British Columbia for Maple Leaf Team Canada to Scotland this past weekend, at the Links at Boundary Bay Golf Course in Delta, B.C.

The field of juniors from Alberta and B.C. faced extreme weather conditions, with freezing rain and challenging winds off the ocean at Boundary Bay, forcing a shortening of the two-day event to 18 holes. The tournament was to qualify one player for the Canadian contingent in the Kingdom of Fife Team Matches in Scotland, August 18-25, 2006. Qualifiers for the remaining team spots will be held across the country in the coming months.

Devon Klassen's 790 mile drive down to the tournament from Fort St. John, B.C., was worth it, as the 17-year-old shot the low overall score and claimed the team spot to Scotland. Klassen, who has not had much opportunity in the wintery north to practice, posted a 72 to take the champion’s trophy in the Boys 17 and up division. “It’s a huge confidence factor to win on my second round of the season," he said. "My putting was unreal, and everything was going right. Every bogey followed with a birdie.”

The other top finishers in this division, Connor Elekes, 17, of Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary, Alberta, and Ted Cho, 17, of Redwoods Golf Course in Surrey, B.C., battled the course and the weather, and ended up tied for second at 75. Jerron Sarai, 17, of Fraserview Golf Course in Vancouver, B.C., was a close fourth place, narrowly missing the winners’ circle by one shot (76).

Pamela Burneski, 14, of Surrey, B.C., a Redwoods junior member, made a clutch putt on the 18th hole to win the Girls division title by one stroke. “I worked hard on my game all off-season,” she said. “The highlight of this tournament for me was golfing with friends and putting well.” Sue Kim, 15, of Langley, B.C., another Redwoods affiliate, finished a close second in the division with her score of 75. Third place was a tie at 76 between 18-year-old Julie Kim of Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Chelsea Kim, 16, also of Port Coquitlam (no relation).

Among Boys 14-16, Shawn Vanderwal, 16, of Rivershore Golf Links in Kamloops, B.C., shot 37 on the front nine to finish with a 79 and the division title. “It means a lot because it’s my first tournament win,” said Vanderwal. Richmond’s Douglas Cheung, 15, came second with his round of 82. There was a three-way tie for third place between Steven Nakajima , 15, of Delta, B.C., Scott Malo, 14, of Calgary, Alberta, and David Lawrence, 16, also of Calgary, who all posted rounds of 83.

Vancouver resident Nicholas Russell, 13, of Marine Drive Golf Course, dominated the Boys 13 and under division to shoot 79 and win by four strokes. “The highlight for me was perfecting the high fade shot that I have been practicing in pressure situations,” said Russell. “This win tells me that how I have been practicing is paying off to a certain degree.” Scott Lowe, 13, of Calgary, Alberta, finished second in the division with 83. Gunntas Sidhu, 11, of Port Coquitlam, B.C., and Chris Lee, 13, of Coquitlam, B.C., tied for third with scores of 85.

The divisional winners in the Mr. Lube Long Drive Competition were Chris Lee, Greg Funk (15) of Coquitlam, Scott Malo, Ted Cho and Julie Kim. The Sundog Skills competition divisional winners were Ryan Lloyd, 17, of Maple Ridge, Ted Cho, and A Ram Choi of Surrey, B.C.

The MJT continues its British Columbia schedule on May 6th and 7th with the MJT G&G Golf Classic at Meadow Gardens Golf Club in Pitt Meadows – a qualifier for Maple Leaf Team Canada to Mexico, for the 5th International Junior Golf Team Matches. In Alberta, the MJT’s Alberta season opener - the MJT 1st Choice Savings Series - will be held at Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge on April 28th and 29th. For more information or to register, please visit www.maplejt.com or call 1-877-859-4653.


About the MJT
As a not-for-profit association, the national Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) presented by Boston Pizza is Canada’s only major junior tour run exclusively by Canadian PGA Professionals. The program helps develop Canada's junior golfers, offering clinics, tournaments, international competitions and more. From free introductory clinics sponsored by Ford to the major CPGA Zone-sponsored junior championships, the MJT offers a quality experience for players. For more information please visit www.maplejt.com.

Contact:
Elaine Denton,
Marketing & PR, MJT
T: 604-943-1645
Email: edenton@maplejt.com